Trump Tests Ethical Boundaries With Branded Merch. (And All Sales Are Final.)
The New York Times
Everything around President-elect Donald J. Trump has become something to monetize, including a moment of comity with Jill Biden at Notre-Dame over the weekend.
Donald J. Trump learned a long time ago that photo opportunities could get him attention and that slapping his name on everything from skyscrapers to steaks could make him money.
As a second-time presidential candidate and now the president-elect, he is marrying the two concepts faster than ever, tying the high-profile visuals of his political life to perfumes, watches, sneakers and digital trading cards. Everything around Mr. Trump has become something to monetize, including a moment of comity with Jill Biden, the first lady, at Notre-Dame over the weekend.
“Here are my new Trump Perfumes & Colognes!” Mr. Trump wrote on social media on Sunday, along with a picture of his interaction with the faintly smiling first lady. “I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING. Great Christmas gifts for the family.”
Under the photo was another caption, an apparent dig at Dr. Biden: “A FRAGRANCE YOUR ENEMIES CAN’T RESIST!”
Mr. Trump, in essence, used a civil moment with the first lady, a frequent critic, to sell fragrances that are “curated to capture the essence of success and determination,” according to the perfume website.
Before Mr. Trump was first inaugurated, his sons moved to take over the family business, to at least create the perception of separation between a moneymaking enterprise and the highest office in the land. (Mr. Trump still maintained over 50 licensing deals in his name, according to an analysis by The Washington Post.)
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